Child of the Ghosts

By: Jonathan Moeller

Narrated by: Hollis McCarthy

Length: 13 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

Here is a new story of a woman's fight against an ancient evil in a world of swords, sorcery, intrigue, and danger.

When her life is torn apart by sorcery and murder, young Caina Amalas joins the Ghosts, the legendary spies and assassins of the emperor of Nighmar. She learns the secrets of disguise and stealth, of assassination and infiltration.

But even that might not be enough to save her. For the evil that destroyed her family seeks to devour the entire world....

©2011 Jonathan Moeller (P)2018 Jonathan Moeller

A gritty and thrilling fantasy!

Child of the Ghosts by Jonathan Moeller is a gritty and thrilling fantasy that pits an ancient evil against a young aristocratic woman who loses her family as a child. After being tortured at the hands of a powerful sorcerer, Caina Amalas joins the legendary spies and assassins group known as the Ghosts. Over the course of the next several years, Caina learns the art of disguise, secrets of stealth, and how to be assassination, all of which helps her defeat her arch-nemesis.

What I enjoyed most about this story - it didn’t sugarcoat the cruelty of war. It also didn’t throw in salacious details just for sex’s sake. Everything in the story demonstrated the slow maturation of the main character and her development into a force to be reckoned with.

Hollis McCarthy did an outstanding job narrating this story. Her narration flows naturally at an even pace and she uses differing voices for all characters. Her deep undertones draw you into the story so that you don’t want to stop listening at the end of the day. Simply put, I’m really looking forward to listening to the next book in the Ghosts series.

A young girl finding her way in the hidden world

*I was given this free review copy of this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

This is a first for me with hearing Hollis McCarthy narrating. I know Caina is young in the books, but I'm Hollis's voice for her sounds off and too small for me. The audio is clean and clear to listen to.

I struggled with the first two flashbacks, to when Caina is 11 years old then when she was 7 years old. At eleven Caina doesn't understand why her mom hates her so. But in the flashback to when she was seven, her mother then her father tell her why. As a reader, I wonder if these sections have the wrong ages in them.

I'm divided on the beginning of the book. I understand the need for it, to create the character background of Caina and those that impacted her in her early years. But, part of me wants to say the background isn't as needed as it's detailed out instead of implying by just actions with her family. The nice thing is it's quick, and into the story we go.

This story is the beginning of Caina and her mission in life. This book sets up Caina with her training and how Maglarion grows in what he wants. Caina is a studious girl, loving her books and to learn. This book is Caina learning many things. Caina needs to grow and learn to do what she wants, which will come in time.

We see much of the way the world is on different sides as The Ghosts have friends and allies in all classes of the world. The Ghosts are the hidden police that are also assassins that work in the shadows of the world.

There was something about this book that felt simple, nothing hidden behind the words spoken. Yet I felt drawn to keep listening even if I didn't have to guess as to what will happen. It was more a relaxing read for me.

In finishing the book, the story is complete but Caina has a life to live and figures out what she wants to do. Caina will and, from looking at Goodreads, has many missions to go on in her life. I'm curious to follow her along in the books.

The book reads and feels like it's written for young adults, though there are things that are a little more than for younger readers. I would say for a teenager and older.

Child of the ghosts

I must say,I have been on a kind of 'I can't do one more magic book' lately but I totally enjoyed this!It was so well written and flowed wonderfully from beginning to end. Caina is a child of an evil and magical mother and a wonderful father.When her mother finally does the most heineous crime of all Canna is taken and held by a Necromancer.Once rescued she works to find and end his 400 year reign of terror. Hollis McCarthy was a wonderful narrator.Cainas voice as a child was perfect,not the squeaky insult to the ears one usually hears from a narrator.I look forward to book 2. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.' 

Great read for Fantasy Lover's

This story was so much fun to read the atmosphere was phenomenal. It's hard to find a good story that has a dark premise. Only downside was the main villian not being very good. Very one dimensional and is evil to be evil. This would have been much stronger if the villian was a bit better. Saying that for what this story is it was great! overall I recommend highly.

magical joy to read

** Received audiobook copy for a honest review.

The author introduces Caina Amala's fantasy adventure. It is magically graceful and vengeful.

"McLarian" the necromancer permanently damages her life when he drains her blood to create a blood crystal. The necromancer has plans to commit murder of multitude of slaves/people for immortality. Caina is saved by the Ghosts and trained as an assassin. She has a personal vendetta to kill the necromancer and a purpose to save the world she lives in.

The narrator does a phenomenal job in bringing the story to life!

The book is fast paced. The author does a great job in balancing the description of the fantasy world, details, and action. As a reader, I was not overwhelmed with unnecessary details. It was worth the read!

Great Story

I have read quite a few of Jonathan Moeller’s books and it is nice to be able to listen to this book while driving to work and pretty much anytime I’ve had to listen. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Great start to a series

Jonathan Moeller has once again given us a great listen. Child of Ghosts is an great story about a young girl who loses her family due a vicious betrayal by her mother. In this story, Caina, survives betrayal, tragedy, loss, torture, and hardship but does not let her circumstances define who and what she is and can become. Recruited to become a Ghost, she pursues her training and vendetta to bring her families murderer to justice. Hollis McCarthy provides outstanding narration giving each character a unique voice and personality. Looking forward to the next installment!

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

A well-written story from a very good author

Child of the Ghosts (Ghosts, #1), my first read from author Jonathan Moeller I'd wanted to read for a long time but never got around to. 13-hours 52-minutes, 368-pages/ but reads even longer due to the detail & development of the story “I received a free review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. I look forward to reading more from this author. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).

this book was given to me at my request for review

loved this book and couldn't stop listening to it. I loved the fact that this young girl was able to overcome everything that she was subjected too, and the fact that she destroyed the blood crystal and Magloire.

How Not to Be a Victim 101

You become a ghost fighter instead! This is a story of courage, of internal strength and a lesson in how to not be a victim, even if your enemy is a 400 year old necromancer. I really enjoyed this book and it was gifted to me for my honest opinion thus I say again, I really enjoyed this book. It contained moments of laughter, at times I was afraid for the characters and losing one of my favorites was sad. These are good things because it ran me through the gauntlet of emotions that any good piece should. With that said, know that I am going to read the series because I am excited to see what nasty villain she uncovers next.